Cedar Fair to acquire Six Flags Worlds of Adventur

[AllenAmazon]

Two big Ohio parks under Cedar Fair? Interesting and shocking, developing...

Press Release

[MommaBeast]

No way!

I just received my first EVER 'In the Loop' (ezine) from SFWoA....in it they kept referring to changes and 'betterments,' but obviously didn't allude to anything of this magnitude!

All I can say is "WOW!"

Changes galore in the offing....

MommaBeast, first-time SF season pass holder (along with The Beasties, 'natch)

[AllenAmazon]

The press release also states that the park will be renamed Geauga Lake, as it was named from when it opened in 1888 until rebranded as Six Flags Ohio after the 1999 season.

There was also a rumor that the Wild Life side, that was originally owned by Anheuser-Busch as Sea World until bought by Six Flags in 2001 and attached with the rides park, will be closed down.

I also haven't heard about how season passes will work, ie

1. Will SFWoA passes still be honored at other Six Flags Theme Parks? (ie SF Kentucky Kingdom, SF Great America, Wyandot Lake, etc.)

2. Will SFWoA passes now be honored at other Cedar Fair Parks? (ie Cedar Point, Valleyfair!, Michigan's Adventure, Dorney Park, etc.)

but I think we'll find out more from the conference call...

[coasterdime]

I'm shocked!!!

I am one of the very few on this board who actually enjoys SFWoA. Not the best park to be sure, but I really enjoyed the rides. This year was the first in a while that I didn't buy my SF season pass in the Fall. I'm not sure how the new owner will handle the current passholders.

I really do believe park operations will improve immediately. CP runs their park like PKI does, with emphasis on customer service, and usually runs the coasters at full capacity(!)

As for the old Sea World side...there is some speculation that CF has little interest in wildlife. That was a nice area over there, being quiet and well-landscaped.

All in all, I'm kinda torn about the news.

coasterdime, who is wondering what the new names will be for a couple of existing coasters up there.....

[Maestro]

I have only visited this park twice - once when it was the old Geauga Lake and once after Six Flags purchased the park. I think they have a fine collection of rides, but I was extremely disappointed in their operations. I'll always remember the lack-luster attitude of the SF employees and the variety of huge safety concerns that I witnessed when the park was under SF rule.

Hopefully Cedar Fair can turn the park around. I think they really have a unique opportunity with both the wildlife and rides - if they would just manage it properly and market it right, the park has potential for success.

[AllenAmazon]

Now for my thoughts on this, definitely shocked.

The first time I went to WOA, in 2002, it left a bad taste in my mouth. One-train operations, serveral rides (including coasters) shut down, rude staff and rude guests. And bathrooms that really smelled like sh*t.

However, I went back twice and much better. More rides open, some running two trains, less guests (especially bad ones) and nicer staff. The Big Dipper had some of the best airtime I ever had, and the Batman Knight Flight was a great floorless and B&M. The wildlife side was also great to see, as well as a decent break from the fast-paced ride side.

I really enjoyed the park overall. Even though it had its down sides, the place has rides and stuff that other parks didn't have altogether. I'm kind of bummed that the wild life side may be no longer but definitely looking forward to better staff, coasters running at capacity (like they do at new sister park CP), and the new look.

[fryler87]

I just now found this out, and it was kind of a big shocker to me. Worlds of Adventure is just down the road (almost literally) from the Point, which makes me ask the question, "How good will this be for Cedar Fair?"

[Scooby_Doo]

This Sucks! Iam Shocked!

[Captain Picard]

I just now found this out, and it was kind of a big shocker to me. Worlds of Adventure is just down the road (almost literally) from the Point, which makes me ask the question, "How good will this be for Cedar Fair?"

It's over 90 miles down the road.

[jzarley]

I think this is a great move. I've been to WOA twice, and after the last time swore I would never go back. The customer service was terrible, and running one train on any coaster is ridiculous, but EVERY coaster is almost criminal <G>.

And, while I know that there's a lot of PKI vs. CP attitude around, you really have to respect Cedar Fair's management and business savy. In a travel/leisure market that's still "challenging" (at best), they were able to pull out their best financial year ever. I also think they do a very nice job with just the "nuts & bolts" aspects of runing their parks. (As does Paramount...)

It doesn't suprise me that the "Wild Life" side will probably be closed down. Personally, I've always wondered how animal parks make money...the overhead must be incredible. And, considering Cedar Fair achieves an operating margin of something like 37%, I think it would be difficult to work an animal park into their current business model.

However...they bought the land (and everything on it) that the wildlife side occupies, and all the infrastructure is already in place, so I have to wonder what their plans are for the acreage? Maybe move the waterpark over to that side and create a large separate-gated waterpark?

Joel

[jlopez]

kids at my school were sayin there was no six flags in ohio...I knew there was! they just dont know what there talkin about when it comes to rollercoasters.

[BoObKiNoS]

kids at my school were sayin there was no six flags in ohio...I knew there was! they just dont know what there talkin about when it comes to rollercoasters.

lol and you do?

[derbeast]

kids at my school were sayin there was no six flags in ohio...I knew there was! they just dont know what there talkin about when it comes to rollercoasters.

Did you ever think of going to six flag's website to find that out?

[Beastfreak]

So I listened to most of the conference call online after it was over. Some key points:

1)SFWoA season passed will either be refunded or exchanged for a Geuga Lake season pass.

2)These passes will not be valid at other Six Flags parks or Cedar Fair parks. Likewise, those passes will not be valid at Geuga Lake in the 2004 season either.

3)The animals are still the property of Six Flags since Cedar Point doesn't have experience managing animal parks. Currently the smaller rides by the lake will most likely be operated in the 2004 season, but still unsure what will be done with that side in the 2004 season.

4)The park will be geared more towards family and the original Geuga Lake that it used to be.

5)The VP of Operations from Cedar Point is being promoted to be the General Manager of SFWoA pending the actual final purchase details.

6)The waterpark (Hurricane Harbor) will be included in park admission much like Kings Island and will have to be renamed since the previous name is a register Six Flags name.

7)The Looney Toons and DC comics names and characters will not be coming with the deal since they are neither owned by Cedar Fair or Six Flags. Cedar Fair does have rights to the Charles Schultz Snoopy characters, but not certain if they will enter Geuga Lake in the 2004 season.

I know there was more but I didn't catch all of it.

This shall be interesting to see how this will effect PKI, if at all, since this park is one of PKI's direct competitors.

[DegenRider]

Hmm CF now holds the cards in ohio with 2/3's of the major parks. The question is They have a great way to kick PKI around the like the dork on the playground.

Question is how do you think PKI is going to step it up? You think the plans have changed. Do you think they will do somthing that will throw Both CF parks in ohio for a loop? Do you think a purchase of Lesordsville and or Coney and rebuild them into major attractions would be out of the question?

You now have a juggernaught of power in Ohio. The power is in the north. How will PKI make sure there still heard when people go looking for vacations in 2004 and beyond?

[BoObKiNoS]

Alright lets keep our heads on people. Now this could be a 'potential' threat like years and years down the road if and only if Ceadar point turns WoA into a huge fricking park ala Cedar Point. Remember, they just bought the park...they didnt change it at all. 99% of people wont even know it happened. Its not like anything just changed. Nothing just changed...guests go to parks for fun, and with Cedar Fair buying WoA they didnt make it anymore fun....YET. The key is whether they plan on turning it into a huge mofo'in park by adding a ton of coasters and stuff. I dont know about you people, but ive been to that park, and we whipped through EVERYTHING in less than 2 hours on a weekday. You could never do that at pki or Cedar Point. Dont all go and freak out or anything, this will have no effect whatsoever this year...and it might never at all.

I dunno though in the future it might become a huge threat, what do you guys think?

[CYoung2003]

With them closing the animal park, that just might hurt that park even more, because alot of people liked to go to that park for the animals. And like Drew said, you could whip through that place easily within 2 hours. So it might hurt them. We'll see what Cedar Fair does to them first before we get all bent out of shape about it.

[PKI_flyer]

The way I see it, CF buying SFWOA is good for PKI. CF kept mentioning in their press conference that the park is going to be run as a traditional amusement park, and run as a one-day park. I see this as a plus for PKI, they no longer have the threat of a third major theme park in Ohio. This is just my opinion, but I think CF saw the potential SF had with this park to one day become a major player in this region, and while SFWOA was down CF took advantage and bought it to eliminate future competition. I do not see the new park becoming a large park like Cedar Point or PKI. Instead I see CF running it was a smaller area amusement park for Cleveland and Akron areas. Things may change in the future, but I think at least for the next couple of years Geauga Lake will go back to it’s roots and remain a smaller park.

[MommaBeast]

In my humble, humble opinion (and I've thought about this long before the SFWoA acquisition), PKI's got its work cut out.

PKI has to step up to the plate.

They've already carved their niche as a FAMILY park. Golden Tickets year after year pretty much prove this point.

Ok, PKI...(and take this the right way----I love PKI)...you've got to grow up. Be competitive in this fierce coaster market. Let me emphasize that: Be competitive in this fierce COASTER market.

Remember when you used to be cutting-edge, PKI? Cutting edge with COASTERS, not flats nor dark rides. Remember those days? I sure do. Many of us have been screamin' for a big steel coaster for a long, long time now (not a cookie-cutter one, either...that just wouldn't be your style).

Yet instead of the big steelie, you've chosen to indulge your FAMILY market; chosen to carve your niche in that demographic deeper and deeper. Well ya know what? You're gonna carve yourself right out of the competition.

Others may have their own say (they're entitled as I am) and may disagree with me on this but say it I will: COASTERS DRAW THE CROWDS. They always have and they always will. Coasters are also FAMILY rides...at least my family sure loves 'em. How many KIDS have you seen on Millennium Force? Tons and tons. How about Son of Beast? Tons and tons. Beast? "Billions served" to borrow a phrase from Mickey Dee's. Ok, ok...maybe not billions, but you get my drift. And the record-holding Daddy of all BIG coasters, Top Thrill Dragster, also has a tremendous kid-based ridership as well.

My point is this: PKI, We've grown up; your family base has matured and while we enjoy the kiddie rides, it's time to move on. Grow up. Allow your big coaster market to blossom. Most, not all, kids these days go for the big thrills. I marvelled at my own children (ages 7, 10, and 12) tackling the likes of MF and TTD, SoB and Volcano; Hypersonic XLC and Dueling Dragons to name but a few 'adult' coasters. As much as I love coasters, I don't think at age 7 I would've found the courage to get on MF, let alone TTD. But that was THEN. This is NOW. Kids nowadays are different; willing and more apt to take risks... "tougher." Is it my imagination or do they grow up faster, too?

Some may argue that NEW families will always be PKI's bread and butter and to that I cannot argue. PKI can and should keep their wonderful kiddie section; they should strive to win more Golden Tickets for the Best Kiddie Area in the amusement park market. But at the same time, don't forget those of us (and we represent thousands and thousands of paying patrons) who yearn for an innovative, cutting-edge big steel coaster.

We feel silenced by your adamant attention to your 'other' interests: record-holding Giant Husses (FLATS), World-renowned Kiddie Areas, and now a World-Class (and much-needed I will admit) upgraded WaterPark.

But don't forget about us...year after year we anxiously await for THEE announcement we've yearned for:

'COMING IN 2005, PKI PLEDGES TO RECLAIM THE STEEL COASTER MARKET.....' or something along those lines.

*Sigh*

I'm tired of just dreaming of the day. Come on PKI...you'd be doing the right thing by stepping up to the (steel coaster) plate and swinging that bat like you used to.

MommaBeast

[adbort]

I don't think at age 7 I would've  found the courage to get on MF, let alone TTD.  But that was THEN.  This is NOW.  Kids nowadays are different;  willing and more  apt to take risks... "tougher."  Is it my imagination or do they grow up faster, too? 

 

Yes that is true Momma. I'm now 23 and even when I was 7, I found my love for coasters. I was only 7 back in '87 the first time I got on a big rollercoaster, and at that time it was Vortex. Back in '87 Vortex was a pretty big coaster. First one to take riders upside down 6 times. It was also one of tallest coasters when it opened too.

We all wish PKI would bulid a new steel coaster. Hopefully 2005 will prove true. It will be 5 years since a big major coaster was bulit (Son of Beast).

[PKI Homey]

I have to agree with you mommabeast. It's time for PKI to step it up before they are ate up by the competition. And, before anyone says it, I am a huge PKI fan and it is my home park. But, they will surely lose out with the direction that they are going. I son't think that closing the animal side will hurt them either. After this year, everyone will know that CF owns the former SFWOA and will get excited, like me, to see that they will do with it. Which will of course be, completely turn it around. In the next few years, I'm going to have to plan a trip whcih will involve both Geauga Lake and Cedar Point.

[MommaBeast]

I don't think at age 7 I would've  found the courage to get on MF, let alone TTD.  But that was THEN.  This is NOW.  Kids nowadays are different;  willing and more  apt to take risks... "tougher."  Is it my imagination or do they grow up faster, too? 

 

Yes that is true Momma. I'm now 23 and even when I was 7, I found my love for coasters. I was only 7 back in '87 the first time I got on a big rollercoaster, and at that time it was Vortex. Back in '87 Vortex was a pretty big coaster. First one to take riders upside down 6 times. It was also one of tallest coasters when it opened too.

We all wish PKI would bulid a new steel coaster. Hopefully 2005 will prove true. It will be 5 years since a big major coaster was bulit (Son of Beast).

adbort and PKI Homey:

Thanks for the nod. PKI needs to realize that KIDS love those kick-a$$ coasters just like their parents.

And you, adbort, 'discovering' the record-holder (at the time) Vortex when you were seven proves my point yet again. Kids are gutsy. Give 'em what they want!

Moms, Dads, Johnnies and Janes can all ride the SAME coaster and have a blast.

Not all of us trek over to the HB side.

Thanks again, peeps!

MommaBeast

[adbort]

[And you, adbort, 'discovering' the record-holder (at the time) Vortex when you were seven proves my point yet again. Kids are gutsy. Give 'em what they want!

I'll never forget, getting off Vortex for the first time. I had to pee so bad. But I loved it. hehehehe

[PKI Homey]

Yeah, Momma Beast, I probably would not have rode TTD or MF or SOB when I was that age. My mom had to bribe me with a dollar just to ride The Racers. Course, those days, you had a two hour or more wait for them. I also remember when The Beast opened. I never rode it the first two or three years it was open. Must have been itimidated by the name alone, becuase you really can't see it too well. I also had a huge lump in my throat the first time I rode Beast or Vortex. I always made the mistake of trying to hold my breath going down the big drop, which just made my heart leap into my throat. Sorry, kind of got off topic.

[SixFlagsMasta]

i didn't see this mentioned in a previous post but maybe it was. SF has also sold the european parks to CF. argh!

i don't think that PKI will really suffer that much. it's way on the other side of the state. pki is a strong park and i think it'll take a while for CF to step up and make SFWOA something special. we'll see though. this could be a good chance for us to get some major expansions.

[RevengeofTheSmurfs]

Not all of us trek over to the HB side.

Thanks again, peeps!

MommaBeast

MommaBeast--

Some kids are Frightened to Death of Coasters like The Beast,SoB,Vortex,TTD,Millennuium Force

Some Kids are not Ready for those Big Ass Titans PKI knows what they are doing Yes they have been the Champs of Family Themed Fun...Not all Familys go to the Point is TTD a family ride? in my eyes its not ...SOME of us have to Stay in HBL all day because are Kids are too Frightened or Get Motion Sickness to ride Coasters

Thats just my two cents

[MommaBeast]

Not all of us trek over to the HB side.

Thanks again, peeps!

MommaBeast

MommaBeast--

Some kids are Frightened to Death of Coasters like The Beast,SoB,Vortex,TTD,Millennuium Force

Some Kids are not Ready for those Big Ass Titans PKI knows what they are doing Yes they have been the Champs of Family Themed Fun...Not all Familys go to the Point is TTD a family ride? in my eyes its not ...SOME of us have to Stay in HBL all day because are Kids are too Frightened or Get Motion Sickness to ride Coasters

Thats just my two cents

Revenge---

I can fully understand and respect your views concerning this. You are right: some kids LIKE HB and are perfectly content staying there all day.

Right again---some get motion sickness and are unable to tackle the big rides.

Some are frightened out of their wits just *looking* at the TITANS, as you so aptly put it.

There's no argument from me on those points.

My whole point was the HUGE demographic PKI has chosen to ignore for the past few years---those kids that LIKE 'big' coasters and those kids that can 'handle' the big rides.

I feel for ya because towards the end of your post, you sounded like you almost REGRETTED having to 'stay in HB all day.' I empathize with you. I took my kids to WDW when they were 8 mos., 3, and 5 and my mouth drooled all day looking at all the rides I COULDN'T GET ON because of the kiddies.

So, while I see your point, I hope you can see mine as well.

TTD as a family ride? It is in ours.

LOL

MommaBeast

[DegenRider]

One thing is that with the flat rides and other areas that needed work are getting done. I don't believe it should be COASTER COASTER COASTER Mushroom Mushroom.

I like that they are putting in a variety of rides in. It helps give somthing for everyone. It is time for a new coaster. Don't expect TTD though. Its going to be a good quality rides.

[italianchef]

So I listened to most of the conference call online after it was over. Some key points:

1)SFWoA season passed will either be refunded or exchanged for a Geuga Lake season pass.

2)These passes will not be valid at other Six Flags parks or Cedar Fair parks. Likewise, those passes will not be valid at Geuga Lake in the 2004 season either.

3)The animals are still the property of Six Flags since Cedar Point doesn't have experience managing animal parks. Currently the smaller rides by the lake will most likely be operated in the 2004 season, but still unsure what will be done with that side in the 2004 season.

4)The park will be geared more towards family and the original Geuga Lake that it used to be.

5)The VP of Operations from Cedar Point is being promoted to be the General Manager of SFWoA pending the actual final purchase details.

6)The waterpark (Hurricane Harbor) will be included in park admission much like Kings Island and will have to be renamed since the previous name is a register Six Flags name.

7)The Looney Toons and DC comics names and characters will not be coming with the deal since they are neither owned by Cedar Fair or Six Flags. Cedar Fair does have rights to the Charles Schultz Snoopy characters, but not certain if they will enter Geuga Lake in the 2004 season.

I know there was more but I didn't catch all of it.

This shall be interesting to see how this will effect PKI, if at all, since this park is one of PKI's direct competitors.

No more whale, no more animals, no more DC Comics names and theming, no more Batman show, and no more Looney Tunes. Why in the heck should I ever visit that park now? All my reasons for liking Geuga Lake are gone. I don't need to travel to Aurora for their 10 coasters, since PKI has 12 better ones close to home.

I really wish that Six Flags never bought Sea World in the first place. Ohio no longer has the prestige of a Sea World and won't even have a major marine life park.

In conclusion, as a Looney Tunes-DC Comics-Marine life fan, I think this is bad thing. However, as a PKI fan, I think this is a good thing because if I'm upset about the loss of SFWOA's themes....other people will be too. Don't expect me to visit Geuga Lake anytime soon. No whales, no DC comics theming, and no marine life mean no Italian Chef visits. The only positive thing I see for Cedar Fair is that they won't let people visit both parks on the same season pass. If they would, that would burn a hole in their bank accounts.

Have a great day!

Italian Chef

[MommaBeast]

One thing is that with the flat rides and other areas that needed work are getting done. I don't believe it should be COASTER COASTER COASTER Mushroom Mushroom.

I like that they are putting in a variety of rides in. It helps give somthing for everyone. It is time for a new coaster. Don't expect TTD though. Its going to be a good quality rides.

I, too, appreciate the variety. It's a breath of fresh air. But it is time for a big steel coaster.

MommaBeast